Master card for reproduction by the spirit transfer process



y 1958 A. J. WRIGHT 2,842,050

MASTER CARD FOR REPRODUCTION BY THE SPIRIT TRANSFER PROCESS Filed June 13. 1955 ezanacA TEHFITZ STATE YTIQ IN V EN TOR.

MASTER CARD FOR REPRODUCTION BY THE SPIRIT TRANSFER PROCESS United States Patent Ansel J. Wright, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Master Application June13, 1955, Serial No. 515,099

2 Claims. (Cl. 101-1494) My invention relates generally to file cards and more particularly to file cards containing matter which may be reproduced by the spirit transfer process.

More specifically, my invention is in the nature of a master card for reproduction by the spirit transfer process, and further includes relatively large areas on which pertinent data may be written or typed.

The file card of the instant invention is particularly adapted for use in addressing machines or the like of the type utilizing the spirit transfer printing process and exemplified by the machine disclosed in my copending application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 510,217, filed May 23, 1955, and entitled Printing Machine.

An important object of my invention is the provision of a file card of the type set forth which is provided with a removable master sheet or slip upon which the spirit transfer reproducible matter is imprinted.

Another object of myinvention is the provision of a file card having an elongated notch in one longitudinal edge, the master slip substantially filling said notch, whereby portions of both sides of said master slip are exposed to view.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a file card having a plurality of plies between an adjacent pair of which said master slip is contained, whereby to eliminate the necessity of adhesives for holding the master slip in place.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of a file card comprising a single sheet of material folded on parallel fold lines into a plurality of superimposed panels or plies, and adapted to receive a master slip b tween an adjacent pair of said panels, said card having a notch in one edge portion, and said master slip substantially filling the notch between said adjacent panels, whereby printed matter on the master slip is exposed in the notch.

The above and still further highly important objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate the invention, and in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout 7 the several views:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of the generally rectangular sheet-like body from which my novel file card is formed;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of my novel file card with a master sheet insert element mounted therein;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in rear elevation of the file card illustrated in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken substantially on the line 4 -4 of Fig. 2.

Referring with greater detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates in its entirety a generally rectangular sheet-like body preferably made from relatively lightweight cardboard and being scored to provide longitudinally spaced laterally extending fold lines 2 and 3 which divide the body 1 into upper, intermediate and lower sections or panels 4, 5 and 6 respectively. A generally rectangular opening 7, elongated in the direction of the fold lines 2 and 3 is cut through the body I, and posi tioned vertically at a point where the fold line 2 bisects the opening 7. The bottom edge 8 of the lower panel is provided with a notch 9 intermediate its ends and which is coextensive in length with the opening 7. The notch 9 extends to a depth corresponding to one-half the Width of the opening 7.

The notch 9 and aperture 7 are of a size and location with respect to each other that, when the lower panel 6 is folded upwardly into overlying relationship with re spect to the intermediate panel 5 and the upper panel 4 is folded downwardly into overlying relationship with the upwardly folded lower panel 6, the notch 9 and aperture 7 define an upwardly opening composite notch 10 in the folded card, see Figs. 2'and 3. In the manufacturing of the card, I prefer to first fold the several panels into overlying relationship with each otherand thereafter die cut or otherwise produce the notch 10 through the several superimposed panels simultaneously. This method of forming the composite notch 10 insures perfect registration when the panels are refolded after having been unfolded. Referring particularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the notch 10 extends longitudinally for a substantial distance across the upper edge portion of the folded card, and downwardly from the top edge of the card a distance substantially less than one-half of the width of the panels 4, 5 and 6. With this arrangement, the several panels provide substantial areas upon which records or other data may be written, typed or imprinted.

The folded card as shown in Figs. 2-4, and indicated therein by the numeral 11, is adapted to receive a master sheet or slip 12, preferably between the intermediate panel 5 and the upturned lower panel 6. The master slip i2 is preferably of substantially the same size as the several panels 4, 5 and 6, the intermediate upper edge portion 13 of the master slip 12 substantially filling the notch 10 intermediate the adjacent panels 5 and 6. The master slip 12 is preferably a paper sheet that is particularly adapted to receive spirit-responsive printing carbon or analogous material ordinarily used in the spirit transfer process of duplication. The desired legend, such as the name and address of a person, or other repetitive information, is typed or otherwise imprinted on the portion 13 of the master slip 12 with the aid of a conventional so-called master carbon sheet, not shown, so that the legend appears normally on one side of the master slip 12 as shown in Fig. 2, and in reverse on the opposite side thereof, as shown in Fig. 3.

Obviously, when it is desired to change the legend on the portion 13 of the master slip 12, while still retaining the printed matter on the card 11, it is merely necessary to unfold the card 11 and remove the master slip therefrom, apply the desired legend to the intermediate edge portion directly opposite the portion 13, and replace the master slip in the card 11 with the newly imprinted matter disposed within the notch 10. Thus, a change of address, or additions or corrections, may be quickly and easily made.

The close fit between the card 11 and its master slip 12 prevents the master slip from accidental removal. Furthermore, the use of a file card folded in accordance with my invention permits the use of a relatively lightweight material, and the fact that the repetitive information in the edge portion 13 of the master slip 12 remains with the card at all times eliminates to a great extent, errors which arise when separate address plates or the like are used.

scribed a commercial embodiment of my novel device, it

will be understood that the same is capable of modification without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What I claim is:

1. A four-ply file card having laterally spaced sides, a top edge and a bottom edge, said file card including a generally rectangular sheet-like body folded along generally parallel fold lines to divide said body into upper, intermediate and lower panels of substantially like marginal dimensions with the lower panel being folded upwardly and superimposed in front of the intermediate panel and the upper panel being folded downwardly and superimposed in front of the upwardly folded lower panel with the free edge portion of the lower panel and the fold line between the upper panel and the intermediate panel defining the top edge of the file card and the free edge portion of the upper panel and the fold line between the lower panel and the intermediate panel defining the bottom edge of the file card, said bottom edge being substantially straight and continuous and said top edge having agenerally centrally disposed upwardly opening notch therein which terminates short of the laterally spaced sides of the file card, and a master sheet of substantially the same marginal dimensions as said panels removably secured between the intermediate panel and the upwardly folded lower panel, said master sheet having a reproducible legend in reverse form on a portion thereof that extends into the notch in the top edge of the file card.

2. The file card as set forthtin claim 1 wherein said notch extends downwardly from the top edge of the file card toward the bottom edge thereof and terminates therebetween at a distance substantially less than one-half the height of the file card.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Apr. 25, 19,38 

